Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Energy Drinks - Essay Example

Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Energy Drinks According to the Academy of American Pediatrics, companies associated with the production of energy and sports drinks are currently broadening their market base with the sole intention of targeting adolescents and children (Pediatrics 2011, p. 1182). Lured by the possibility of optimizing athletic performance, and replenishing electrolytes and fluids lost while engaged in physically engaging activities, children and adolescents are increasing their intake of these drinks. The Academy of American Pediatrics distinguishes between the two types of drinks whereby sports drinks refer to beverages that might contain electrolytes, flavoring, synthetic minerals used for replenishing vital electrolytes and water lost during strenuous exercise. Contrastingly, energy drinks contain ingredients that might act as non-nutritive stimulants such as caffeine that do little to replenish electrolytes or water (Pediatrics 2011, p. 1183). Unfortunately, due to the interchangeable use of the words “sport drinks”, and “energy drinks”, these young consumers are exposing themselves to the adverse effects of overindulging in the latter. In addition, the lax regulatory policies also make it easier for younger consumers to access energy drinks. In response, some institutions have called for stringent regulations that prohibit sale of such products in schools. Discussed below are the health risks and perceived benefits associated with intake of energy drinks. One of the main ingredients used to make energy drinks is caffeine. Caffeine is a highly addictive substance; as such, its use in the manufacturing of any food or beverage is likely to result in users’ addiction to the consumed substances. There are two major categories of energy drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic energy drinks. A high percentage of consumers of energy drinks are unaware of the adverse health risks associated with the consumption of non-alcoholic energy drinks, as they operate under the assumption that the alternative form (alcoholic energy drinks) poses a greater danger. Research by various scholars contradict this assumption stating,”…caffeine’s neuropharmacology effects might play a role in the propensity for addiction” (Arria & O’Brien 2012, p.601). Reissig et al. (2009, p. 4-6) postulates that lack of regulatory oversight resulting from lax regulatory requirements especially in countries such as the US increases children and adolescents’ vulnerability to developing caffeine related disorders, which include caffeine intoxication, dependence, and withdrawal. Low tolerance to caffeine among young caffeine users increases probability of intoxication, which in turn causes dependence after prolonged usage. Any attempt to discontinue caffeine use results in caffeine withdrawal manifested by physical symptoms such as migraines, sweating profusely and heightened anxiety (Reissig et al. 2009, p. 6). In addition, studies focusing on caffeine intake postulate that high intake of caffeine results in adverse physiological effects for high-risk groups such as children, adolescents and pregnant women. For example, it results in sleep disturbances and high blood pressure among adolescents, and a higher probability of stillbirths or miscarriages among pregnant women (Arria & O’Brien 2012, p.601). The Academy of American Pediatrics (2011, p. 1186) infers that dental erosion is a common side effect of children and adolescents’ consumption of both sports and energy drinks accounting for about 57% of enamel erosion among children aged 11-14 years. In their 2012 study, Gunja & Brown investigated the health risks and toxicity associated with the consumption of energy drinks. Their results highlighted that 87% of their sample reported experiencing physiological symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset, palpitations, tremors, and agitation whereas 21 subjects experienced severe reactions after the consumption of energy drinks, which included symptoms such as neurological and cardiac toxicity (Gunja & Brown 2012, p. 47-48). Posing a greater health risk to consumers is the addition of alcohol in energy drinks that already contain caffeine. Caffeine fails to counteract the adverse neurological effects of ethyl alcohol the addictive ingredient contained in alcohol. Arria & O’Brien (2012, p. 600-601) posit that the chemical interaction between caffeine and alcohol results in increased alcohol intake per each drinking session and heightens the occurrence of alcohol-related consequences; for example, driving under the influence, and sexual assault. Marketing strategies used by companies, advertising energy drinks capitalize on perceived benefits resulting from users’ consumption of the product. Just as the label suggests, energy drinks purport that there is an increase in energy for users after consumption (Pediatrics 2011, p. 1182). As mentioned, one of the main ingredients in energy drinks is caffeine, which is a stimulant. Stimulants refer to both organic and synthetic substances that increase the functioning of the Central Nervous System (CNS); for example, they cause an increase in heart rate, and metabolism among other bodily functions. Burrows et al (2005, p. 141) infer that consumption of energy drinks results in improved aerobic endurance characterized by increased cardiac stroke volumes and peak oxygen uptake. In addition, they also cited a study by Ragsdale et al., which concluded that consumption of energy drinks resulted in an increase in subjective pain tolerance; however, consumption had no effect on overall pain perception (Burrows et al. 2005, p. 141). From this, it is evident that consumption of energy drinks results in favorable outcomes; however, it is important to note that the outcomes are immediate and short-lived. In conclusion, consumption of energy drinks among children and adolescents is steadily on the rise across the globe due to the lax regulatory policies imposed on companies associated with marketing these products. In addition, the aggressive campaigns launched by these companies play a pivotal role in increasing prevalence of consumption among adolescents and children. The energy-enhancing substances used to make energy drinks provide immediate but short-lived benefits to consumers. Unfortunately, the adverse effects associated with the consumption of energy drinks are more perverse, and long-term. Young consumers are more likely to develop caffeine related disorders such as intoxication, dependence and withdrawal. In addition, they are likely to develop other physiological complications such as dental problems (enamel erosion), sleep disturbances, and elevated high pressure. As such, it is prudent for all stakeholders to limit children and adolescents’ intake of energy drinks. References Read More